Communities across Donegal are set to benefit from more than €90,000 in funding linked to Lenalea Wind Farm, with 12 local organisations receiving support through the project’s Community Benefit Fund.
The 30MW Lenalea Wind Farm, operated by SSE, has been fully operational since 2024 and provides annual funding to communities within 15 kilometres of the site. This marks the first full year of available funding from the community benefit programme.
A total of €92,000 has now been awarded through the 2024/25 Lenalea Community Benefit Fund, to support 12 projects delivering long-term benefits across the local area.
Major projects supported this year include Glenswilly National School which will receive funding towards a new community sports pitch, and Donegal Mountain Rescue Team which will invest in training and a drone to strengthen aerial search and rescue operations.
Other funding recipients include Glenswilly GAA, Cappry Rovers FC, Letterkenny Community Centre CLG, Drumkeen United AFC, Twin Towns Boxing Club, Donegal Centre for Independent Living, St Ninian’s Convoy Parish Centre, Convoy Joint National School, Glenmaquin National School and Gairmscoil Chú Uladh.
Recipients will use this funding to deliver a variety of projects that enhance local facilities and widen access to sport, recreation and inclusion services.
Joseph Gallinagh, Principal of Glenswilly National School, said: “This support means a great deal to our school and to the wider Glenswilly community. The new pitch will give young people a safe and modern place to play, learn and come together. We are very grateful to SSE Renewables for helping us bring this project forward.”
Ciaran Maguire, Onshore Wind O&M General Manager Ireland for SSE Renewables, said: “We’re delighted to be awarding the first full year of funding from the Lenalea Community Benefit Fund. The projects supported this year reflect priorities identified by local people and show the strength of community organisations in this part of Donegal, which is exactly why supporting the communities that host our wind farms is so important to SSE.”
Annette Duffy, Community Investment Manager for SSE, said: “These awards demonstrate the impact that partnership with local groups can deliver. The projects supported this year will bring meaningful and lasting improvements for residents. We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that follow.”
Separately in Donegal, in January, SSE and FuturEnergy Ireland commenced construction of the 12 turbine, 58 MW Drumnahough Wind Farm, neighbouring Lenalea Wind Farm. SSE is leading both the development and construction of the project.